St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-10-08

opinions. If you should speak in de-
rogatory manner of any member OF the
family in the presence of the slaves, or
express a skepticism as to the ability
of the master to compete with neigh
Dor on any sport, you would
| find q hornets nest about your
ears. I recollect an old gentleman
who had q plantation in our neighbor-
hood. He was an excellent man and a
kind master, but he could not resist get
ting trifie booty when he was thrown
into temptation. One day he was going
home on foot, accompanied by one of his
slaves, in decidedly intoxicated state;
in fact, had it not been for the support
of his servant he would have fallen in
the road. The next day, seeing the SER
| want, some one inquired what allied the
old gentleman. HE had a swimmin' in
de head, massa," replied the negro.
wasn't he little tight, Sam?' was
asked.
mo, sab not bit; he had not drink
drap; he war took wild swimmin' in de
head" AS his masters condition was
patent and his falling known to all, this
statement did not convert any one; but
who can fail to admire the devotion of
the poor slave to the good name of his
master? The familiarity of the slave
with the family was the result of ancient
custom. The children grew up with the
slaves became fond of their black play
mates and of the uncles and aunties who
ministered to their wants, told them
stories, went hunting or fishing with
them and finally sang old melo-
dies to them at night until
sleep closed their eyes. Therefore, when
Massa John went to college he babe the
slaves farewell, and when his boyish let
ters anne home there was always refer
ence TO them, and "Missus' never failed
&c read great part of these letters aloud
to the assembled negroes, who listened
with delight and thorough sympathy, dis
cussing their contents among themselves
for days afterward If "Missus" or
miss" received a handsome present,
Aunt jimmy and Aunt Nelly always
saw it, too, and described it in
glowing terms afterward to the quarter
Perhaps Miss Laura attires her
self with more than ordinary
care some evening and sits on the
piazza. She is not in the least offended
if aunt jimmy remarks, archly, Il spec
Massa George 'ull be arrivin' dis way dis
ebenin'." If Massa John orders his horse
some pleasant afternoon and plucks a
nosegay, black Joe is sure to remark,
Il wunner if Miss Alice amt 'spectin'
some un to call on her" Massa John
may blush and look little foolish, but he
will never be angry. Such remarks would
be dubbed impertinence in the North. In
fact, have been frequently asked, when
starting out on some excursion, "Where's
you gwine, NASSAU" and gave the re-
quired information without the least
rufHing of my feelings.
Another thing that contributed to the
slaves happiness was his enormous
capacity for pleasure. The greatest ex
ertion al once became enjoyable when it
vas in the interest of pleasure. | have
heard negro returning from a long
days work in the cornfeld complain that
he was 80 tired I kin scarcely pull one
foot arter de odder," and then walk and
run twenty miles through the woods
that night after coons in the highest
state of enjoyment. Another safety
valve was his religious meetings. These
we're conducted in a wild, enthusi-
astic manner, almost barbaric enough to
suit celebration on the banks of the
Congo. have seen man fall insensible |
from excitement at one of these meet |
lngs. have seen men and women act |
as though demented. have heard the
widest vagaries from the lips of the
preachers that would almost shock |
stranger with their apparent irrever-
ence. And yet l have heard words of |
profound wisdom issue from the same |
lips, voice that the most intellectual |
could follow with humility. have seen
these people who shouted loudest and
leaped the highest die with calm faith
in their future happiness.
The negro is a singular being, and
from my heart I wish him WELL Too
many happy years have I passed with
members of his race to wish him other
wise. Many time have trotted beside
Uncle Joe, my hand inclosed in his
strong grasp, and if he was living to-
day would as willingly confide to him
my disappointment and successes as /
would to my dearest friend, and feel as
confident of his sympathy with my dis
tress and his exultation at my happiness.
JAS. G. PLUMMER.